Provide one example of a diversion program and briefly discuss how it works.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Drug courts are used to target specific offenders and provide specialized
resources to this category of offenders. The first drug court was set up in 1989 in Miami-
Dade county, Florida. Cases were eligible based on the type of drug-related offense
they were arrested for, such as possession, purchasing, or solicitation to purchase
drugs. Individuals with a history of violence, who have been arrested for the sale or
trafficking of drugs, or who have two felony nondrug-related convictions are not eligible
to participate in the drug court program. Instead of an adversarial process, drug courts
are a supportive environment geared towards rehabilitation and reform. Drug courts
function as a form of diversion—the processing of cases are held for a year while the
offender in placed in a treatment program. Their progress is tracked by the court and
participants are required to submit to regular drug screenings. If they complete the
program successfully, the charges are dismissed. The process can be long and difficult,
and not all participants will be successful in the intervention. In some cases, individuals
may be sanctioned for their relapse or noncompliance but be allowed to remain in the
program. Such sanctions may include community service or jail time. If they are
terminated from the program, the offender will return to the criminal court where they
are sentenced for the crime.